STUDENT COMPUTER OWNERSHIP GUIDE
Georgia Institute of Technology
Summer & Fall 2011 Information
http://www.sco.gatech.edu
Welcome to the Georgia Institute of Technology! Georgia Tech requires all undergraduate
students, including transfer students, to own a laptop computer that can be used in your
residence and carried to class. This document describes minimum hardware and software
requirements, support and security guidelines, and computer ownership financial aid information.
PURCHASING HARDWARE
Whether you choose to purchase a new computer or you already own a laptop, make sure it
satisfies as many of the components listed in the “Hardware Requirements” section below
as possible. A good compromise between performance and cost is a machine one or two
speeds slower than the fastest. To access detailed information on purchasing a laptop computer, see http://techstuff.gatech.edu.
Life Cycle
Ideally, the system age should be 2 years or less when you begin at Georgia Tech. Then, expect to purchase a new computer system every 2 – 3 years. The standard software suite at
Georgia Tech will evolve during your time as a student, and at some point, a machine with a
slow processor may not be able to run this software effectively. When this happens, you will
need to upgrade or buy another computer. It is likely to be more cost effective to purchase a
more powerful machine now than to upgrade later. We do not recommend that you purchase a low-end system from any manufacturer. Barnes & Noble @ Georgia Tech has prepared several packages that meet or exceed the Georgia Tech hardware requirements.
Please feel free to check with Barnes & Noble @ Georgia Tech or with the Office of Information Technology (OIT) if you have specific purchasing questions. (Contact information is
provided at the end of this document.)
2010/2011 SCO Committee – Student Representatives
Jordan Webb
Ivan Morales
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HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS
The computer should be fast enough and have enough memory and disk space to provide
satisfactory performance over a usable life of at least two to three years. All student computers should have the following components:
Form Factor:
Notebook or laptop. (A netbook or tablet should not be used as the
primary computing device.*) A minimum of 2 hours of battery life is
required.
Processor:
Dual core or Quad core; 2.0 GHz 64-bit, or better.**
Memory:
4 GB or more. For best performance, we recommend that you install as much memory as affordable at the time of purchase.
Primary Hard Drive: 250 GB or larger hard drive.
External Hard Drive: Double the size of the internal hard drive.
Networking:
Wireless 802.11n capable.
Accessories (optional): DVD writer, USB flash drive, Ethernet cable, and laptop anti-theft
cable lock. Webcams may also be useful for some applications.
*Note that most netbooks and tablets (e.g. Apple iPad, Galaxy Tab and others that run on an
operating system designed specifically for the device) do NOT meet the minimum hardware
requirements above. While they may initially provide sufficient performance for basic tasks
such as web browsing or simple word processing, use of technical software in courses may
not be possible.
**The use of VLab (a Virtual Lab that provides GT students a way to access ‘virtual machines’ on campus and use software such as MATLAB and AutoCAD from any computer with
Internet access) does not diminish these requirements. Your system will still need to independently support the required software.
Warranty: Extended warranties (three years, in general) are highly recommended. These
warranties normally cover hardware problems as well as system troubleshooting via phone
or email. (Additional accidental damage coverage should be considered, if available.) The
Bell Techlogix service at Barnes & Noble @ Georgia Tech serves as a third party hardware
repair center for all vendors.
The Barnes & Noble computer store offers in-store purchasing in addition to an online order site. Visit http://techstuff.gatech.edu for exclusive discount pricing for the Georgia Tech
community on hardware, software and accessories. All students who have been accepted to
Georgia Tech should already be assigned a GT account, which is required for access to this
special pricing. To access the techstuff.gatech.edu site fully before your FASET orientation
session, go to https://www.passport.gatech.edu to activate your GT account and to set your
password.
Instructions for this activation can be found at http://faq.oit.gatech.edu/content/how-do-Iactivate-my-gt-account-students.
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Network Connections
Georgia Tech currently provides wireless access in nearly every building on campus, including offices, labs, classrooms, student residence halls, and most outdoor spaces.
Visit http://www.lawn.gatech.edu for more information and coverage maps.
All rooms in campus residence halls are wired for computer network access. Each room has
as many connections as students. Housing fees cover access; there is no additional charge.
To access the network, students living in campus residence halls will need a CAT-5 Ethernet
cable for their computer.
Printing
Although owning a printer is not required, many students purchase a printer for their own
convenience. Limited printing services are available in the Commons at the Georgia Tech
Library and the Student Center Computer Cluster (2nd Floor of Student Center adjacent
to Music Listening Room). Currently, each student is provided with print credits to use for
laser printing services in these areas. Pay-for-print capabilities are also available. Printing is
also available from the Central Printing Services (Central PS) at no charge to the student
and it does not require print credits or funds. Detailed information about these services can
be found on the Commons Website (http://librarycommons.gatech.edu).
STANDARD SOFTWARE
Georgia Tech supports a standard software suite for both Windows and Mac OS X systems.
Standard software minimizes software incompatibilities between students and faculty,
helps meet educational goals, improves the effectiveness and timeliness of software support, and helps minimize support costs. The Office of Information Technology (OIT) and the
Department of Housing’s ResNET will actively support the standard software. Most titles
will additionally be available for student use in the general-purpose computing clusters
maintained by OIT ( http://librarycommons.gatech.edu).
Students should buy software packages at the time they are needed for use in their courses;
many packages are available for free at http://software.oit.gatech.edu. Students should
avoid downloading software that is not needed, as this can substantially affect the processing speed. Removal of software from expired trials is also encouraged to maximize
the operating speed of your system.
We encourage professors to use standard software. If professors choose to use nonstandard software, then they will be responsible for providing software support to their
students. Since OIT will only support the standard software, if students choose to use any
non-standard software, they will be solely responsible for providing support.
Students should bring the media for the OS and productivity suites to campus with them so
that these may be re-installed in the event of a serious problem or system reinstall.
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The standard software suite for both Mac OSX and Windows 7 is as follows:
Windows Systems
Operating System
Microsoft Windows 7 64-bit Home Premium or Professional. Refer to
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/compare/default.aspx
for a Microsoft OS comparison guide.
Note: Included with new computer purchase.
Email
My GaTech (can be used with any web browser)
Note: Online at http://my.gatech.edu/. No purchase or installation required.
Data Backup
Microsoft Windows Backup
Note: Included as part of Windows 7. Requires external hard drive.
Optional: Gatech.crashplan.com – unlimited back-up and storage for a fee (currently 5 yrs/$157 for 1 computer).
Security
McAfee VirusScan & Antispyware Enterprise 8.7i
Note: Free to students. Download at http://software.oit.gatech.edu.
Word Processor, Spreadsheet, Presentation Software
Microsoft Office 2010 or OpenOffice.org
Note: Purchase Microsoft Office at the Barnes & Noble @ Georgia Tech or other
vendors. Download OpenOffice free at http://www.openoffice.org.
Mac OS X Systems
Operating System
Apple Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard) or better
Note: Included with new computer purchase.
Email
My GaTech (can be used with any web browser)
Note: Online at http://my.gatech.edu/. No purchase or installation required.
Data Backup
Apple Time Machine
Note: Included with Mac OS X. Requires external hard drive.
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Optional: Gatech.crashplan.com – unlimited back-up and storage for a fee (currently 5 yrs/$157 for 1 computer).
Security
McAfee VirusScan 9.0
Note: Free to students. Download at http://software.oit.gatech.edu.
Word Processor, Spreadsheet, Presentation Software
Microsoft Office 2011 or OpenOffice.org
Note: Purchase Microsoft Office at Barnes & Noble @ Georgia Tech or other
vendors. Download OpenOffice free at http://www.openoffice.org.
Windows Compatibility
Windows compatibility software is not required campus-wide. However,
some classes may require the use of specific, Windows-only applications.
Students in these classes choosing to use Mac OS X systems will need virtualization software (Parallels Desktop 6 or VMware Fusion 3) and a copy
of Microsoft Windows 7 in order to run Windows applications.
The standard software suite indicates software versions known at the time of this printing.
At the time of purchase, students should acquire the latest versions for the computer they
will be using. If you purchase software from Barnes & Noble @ Georgia Tech, then you will
always receive the current version. The Barnes & Noble @ Georgia Tech online store, at
http://www.techstuff.gatech.edu/, offers exclusive discount pricing for the Georgia Tech
community on software, hardware and accessories. Additional purchasing options include
e-academy (http://www.onthehub.com/) – an online vendor offering academic discounts
for essential and curriculum-based software - or other commercial sources.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
Through an appeals process, computer ownership costs and expenses may be added to the
Institute's Cost of Attendance (Student Budget) for entering freshmen and undergraduate
transfer students. Applicants who apply for student financial aid through the Office of
Scholarships and Financial Aid (OSFA) may request to have a maximum, one-time $1500
adjustment added to their Cost of Attendance for purposes of determining his or her eligibility for student financial assistance. A receipt showing computer purchase costs will be
required at the start of the first term. Procedures on how to initiate this request can be
found at http://www.finaid.gatech.edu/costs/other/. Contact a financial aid advisor,
listed at http://www.finaid.gatech.edu/contacts, with any questions.
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COMPUTER SUPPORT
Georgia Tech provides the following support facilities and services:
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Printing (limited)
Internet access
Computer accounts for electronic mail
Computer labs for short-term access to computers running the standard software
Departmental clusters or labs with major-specific software (e.g., mathematical manipulation and calculation, CAD, compilers, and databases)
Special classrooms and labs for computer-enhanced presentations
OIT Technology Support Center
Services provided by the OIT Technology Support Center include account support, software
troubleshooting and diagnostics. The Technology Support Center is also available to students to answer questions about hardware configurations. The Center is in the Clough
Commons, beginning with the fall 2011 semester, and is available for walk-in support and at
404-894-7173. User Assistants are also available in the computing labs on campus.
ResNET
The Department of Housing provides full support to residents of the on-campus residence
halls through the ResNET Program. ResNET utilizes Residential Technology Advisors
(RTAs) who are available to provide telephone, in-office, and on-site technical support to
residents. RTAs are available to assist students with such tasks as connecting to the GT
wired or wireless network and installing anti-virus software.
Third Party Support
During the warranty period, students who have purchased new computers will have hardware service provided by the manufacturer. Bell Techlogix (Bell Tech), a subsidiary of Bell
Services, Inc provides third party service support for hardware (all brands) at Barnes & Noble @ Georgia Tech. The Service Center can repair hardware, update software, update and
add hardware, diagnose problems and correct them. Computers do not have to be purchased at the bookstore to be serviced at this location.
COMPUTER SECURITY
All members of the Georgia Tech community play a role in protecting the Institute’s information assets and systems. To help facilitate this effort, we ask that you do the following:
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Complete the GT Information Security on-line tutorial located at
http://www.security.gatech.edu/ (Security Awareness Tutorial -- On Campus
Access Only)
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Install anti-virus and anti-spyware software on your system and set it to update automatically (most will be configured to do this when installed). We recommend
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McAfee AntiVirus, which is available for free on our software download site. Many
packages that come with a system are trial versions and will expire within 3 to 6
months.
Create strong passwords and do not share them with anyone for any reason. A
strong password has at least eight characters and uses a combination of numbers,
upper and lower case letters, and special symbols (@#$%^&*).
Register your notebook with the GT Police at
http://www.police.gatech.edu/services/laptop/.
Keep software applications, operating systems, and security patches current by visiting vendor websites regularly. Microsoft Windows and Apple Macintosh users can
set their computers to download Operating System patches automatically:
Windows Users: Enable Windows Update –
Control Panel ‐> Automatic Updates ‐> Automatic (daily)
Mac Users: Enable Software Update –
System Preferences ‐> Software Update ‐> Check for updates (weekly)
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Perform regular backups and store them in a secure location.
Verify that websites are secure prior to entering personal information by looking to
see that your web browser is pointed to an https rather than an http address. We
also recommend using McAfee SiteAdvisor to check on the safety of sites. (This is
available from the Software Distribution site at http://software.oit.gatech.edu/)
Log off or lock your keyboard when away from your computer.
Prevent theft of your computer: use a cable lock to secure your laptop to a table or
desk if you need to step away.
Do not use your computer to download, copy, store, or redistribute copyrighted materials for which you do not have the legal right to do so.
Read the Georgia Tech Computer and Network Usage Policy located at
http://www.oit.gatech.edu/sites/default/files/CNUSP.pdf
POLICY QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Q1: How can I determine if my current system will meet Georgia Tech’s hardware requirements?
A1: Refer to the “Hardware Requirements” section of this document, the Student Computer Ownership (SCO) website (http://www.sco.gatech.edu), or the OIT Technology
Support Center.
Q2: Is it better to upgrade my current computer or to buy a new one?
A2: This choice is dictated largely by your personal budget considerations. However, it is
generally better to buy a new machine if you can. This machine will be faster, will
have the latest technology, and generally have a longer usable life.
Q3: If I purchase a new computer, how should I decide on the processor speed?
A3: The best strategy is to purchase a relatively fast machine since it would have a longer
usable life and would be able to meet your educational needs for most of your time at
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Georgia Tech. A good compromise between speed and cost is a processor one or two
speeds slower than the fastest. A computer at the low-end of the speed scale will adequately run the standard software but provides no room for expansion. A number of
good choices exist in the $1,000 to $2,000 price range.
Q4: What should I do if I have a problem with the network connection in my residence hall
room?
A4: All rooms in Georgia Tech residence halls have the necessary network connections for
your computer. These connections are fully supported by ResNET. If you have any
problems, you should first call the ResNET office. Contact information is listed at the
end of this document.
Q5: If I do not own a printer, how will I print my documents?
A5: Printing is available to students in public labs or by sending print jobs to a central
printing service.
Q6: If printers are optional, is it worth it for me to buy my own?
A6: While limited printing facilities are available in the computing clusters on campus, it is
certainly more convenient to have your own printer. Clusters may not always be
available when you need to print a document. No-cost printing in the clusters is limited.
Q7: I already have some of the standard software. May I purchase only certain packages
from Barnes & Noble @ Georgia Tech?
A7: Yes, you may purchase any package separately from Barnes & Noble @ Georgia Tech.
Call or e-mail them for specific software prices. Be aware, however, that the Small
Business Edition of Microsoft Office, which ships with many computers, does not include PowerPoint, a fundamental component of MS Office.
Q8: How can I obtain software from Georgia Tech?
A8: Georgia Tech has site licenses for several software packages for use on your computer.
The software can be downloaded at no cost from a GT server. See
http://software.oit.gatech.edu/for details.
Q9: I don’t want to use one of the components of the standard software suite. Can I use
something else?
A9: Standard software minimizes software conflicts and increases the quality of software
support. If you decide to use something other than the standard software, then it is
your responsibility to purchase, maintain, and support the software. It will be your
responsibility to eliminate any software conflicts with the standard software as you
start to share documents with your fellow students and submit homework assignments to your professors.
Q10: Can I create PDF files without Adobe Acrobat?
A10: If you have a Mac, this functionality is built into OS X and no other software is required. For PC users, Windows has an add-in to save to PDF and XPS formats. OIT will
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support your use of Adobe Acrobat. However, there are other ways to create PDFs using freely available software or adware, such as Ghostscript and GhostView from
http://www.cs.wisc.edu/~ghost/, or the pdf995 print driver for Windows at
http://www.freeware995.com/bin/pdf995.exe.
Q11: Can I use Linux and open source software?
A11: Yes, however, OIT does not provide support for software in these arenas, and you will
be responsible for ensuring that this software is fully compatible with the standard
software, as described in Answer 9 above.
Q12: What can I do if I want to continue to run an older OS?
A12: Do not continue using old operating systems. These older systems are no longer supported by their vendors and are insecure when connected to the Internet. OIT supports only the software listed in this document.
Q13: Is there somewhere on campus that will service computers?
A13: You can contact the OIT Technology Support Center for assistance and recommendations for computer repair. Located in the Clough Commons (beginning in August
2011), the OIT Technology Support Center can provide you with a number of local
vendors if your computer is no longer covered under warranty, including Bell Techlogix, a third-party repair vendor at Barnes & Noble @ Georgia Tech.
Q14: Where can I find more information about using the Georgia Tech network and computer systems?
A14: The following web pages contain detailed information and links to other useful pages:
http://www.security.gatech.edu, http://www.resnet.gatech.edu/, and
http://www.sco.gatech.edu.
Q15: What can I install to prevent virus or malware from my computer?
A15: Georgia Tech has a site license for McAfee AntiVirus, available via the software distribution page, http://software.oit.gatech.edu.
Q16: Should I purchase a USB flash drive?
A16: Yes. These devices are a great option for removable storage. However, they can be
easy to lose, so give great care to the type of information you store on these devices.
Warning: These devices can transfer viruses from one machine to another, but McAfee
AntiVirus will scan these devices along with your hard drive.
Q17: How can I protect my laptop from theft?
A17: Always lock your laptop to something sturdy using a cable lock. In addition, there are
products available for tracking stolen laptops. Laptops should also be registered with
the Georgia Tech Police Department to aid recovery when lost or stolen. Additionally,
it is advisable to set a log-in password for each operating system on your computer to
prevent exploitation of your information if the laptop is stolen.
Q18: Are there any advantages to purchasing either a Mac or a PC?
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A18: Generally the selection of a Macintosh or PC notebook is an individual one. However,
some departments may have specific recommendations. Contact your academic advisor for information to determine specific requirements and recommendations.
Q19: Can I use my computer for gaming, business or other alternative functions?
A19: All activities must be legal and not damage the GT network. See the Georgia Institute
of Technology Computer & Network Usage and Security Policy – Effective Date July 1,
2005/revised February 2, 2011
(http://www.oit.gatech.edu/sites/default/files/CNUSP_new.pdf). If you have questions on a specific use, contact the OIT Technology Support Center.
IMPORTANT CONTACT NUMBERS AND ADDRESSES
More information:
Georgia Tech Student Computer Ownership Initiative
 Website...................... http://www.sco.gatech.edu
Technical/connectivity/compatibility questions:
OIT Technology Support Center
 Telephone................. 404-894-7173
 E-mail ......................... support@oit.gatech.edu
 Website...................... http://helpdesk.oit.gatech.edu
 Walk-in support ..... Technology Support Center (in Clough Commons – beginning
8/2011)
ResNET (Department of Housing)
 Telephone................. 404-894-0044
 E-mail ......................... support@resnet.gatech.edu
 Website...................... http://www.resnet.gatech.edu
General pricing/availability/ordering:
Barnes & Noble @ Georgia Tech
 Telephone................. 404-894-2377
 Fax ............................... 404-894-2530
 E-mail ......................... Tech.Center@bks.gatech.edu
 Website...................... http://www.techstuff.gatech.edu
Financial aid/alternative loans:
Georgia Tech Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid
 Telephone................. 404-894-4160
 E-mail ......................... finaid@gatech.edu
 Website...................... http://www.finaid.gatech.edu
Copyright 2011 Georgia Institute of Technology
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